This Sunday's fun filled project is a timing belt swap on a Volvo AQ131A.

Belt is starting to fall apart, I am way happy that I caught it before it busted.

Anyhow... as usual, I'm armed with both the Clymer and Seloc book, my trusty tools, and a pretty good picture of what I need to do (not to mention, lots of little plastic bags for all the parts (This is going to be on while at dock...).

Anyhow, I just thought I'd see if anyone has any: "Pete, you might want to think about... when you're doin..." for me. These tid-bits are often REALLY valuable!

That's about it...

Pete

FYI: AQ131A is an inline 4 SOHC.

7/26/2000 5:03:00 PM
Submitted by
Don S (12.12.208.143) from ALASKA says OH NO, not the dreaded timing belt!
And you thought the lock down was a pain, Now you ARE going to have some REAL FUN !!!!!!!
Take the hose off the transom plate and plug the pipe so water won't come in before working on the engine. Make sure you have all the seals and rings for the raw water tubes. O Rings for the heatexchnager, thermostat gasket, antifreeze, metric allen wrenches, blue silicone, water pump cross piece (that rubber drive piece you can't see under the pump). If the pulleys are rusty, replace them or you will have to replace the new belt very soon. Check the tensioner bearing after you get it apart. After you get the belt on and all three marks lined up roll the engine over several times and recheck the marks (not the ones on the belt, they will never line up againe) before putting everything else back together. One tooth off anywhere and it will not run. Sorry to hear this has happened to you.

Don

7/26/2000 6:20:00 PM
Submitted by Pete from NEW JERSEY says Don..
When you say "one tooth off" You mean that after I put the belt on, and turn the crank, by hand a few times, and then check it again, make sure that ALL THREE marks (pully/indicator) are 100% in line, correct? Roll over by hand or by starter? Also, how easy is it to turn by hand?

Also, when you say "rusty pully" you mean, rust ON the pully, or rust that does not permit it to spin easy?

Thanks for the help (as always!!) let me know what else, in addition you come up with...

Pete

7/26/2000 9:53:00 PM
Submitted by
Don S (12.12.208.236) from ALASKA says Well Pete..............When you say "one tooth off" You mean that after I put the belt on, and turn the crank, by hand a few times, and then check it again, make sure that ALL THREE marks (pully/indicator) are 100% in line, correct? Roll over by hand or by starter? Also, how easy is it to turn by hand?

Yes, the marks on the wheels (dot type indents) line up with the marks on the block. I usually just jump the starter and crank the engine over, and take the spark plugs out and it should turn fairly easy. Make sure the belt tensioner is tight before cranking the engine over or the belt will roll off and you get to start over.

Also, when you say "rusty pully" you mean, rust ON the pully, or rust that does not permit it to spin easy?

I'm refering to the surface of the "wheels" (not exactly a pully) that the belt rides on, if the surface is rusty it will eat up the new belt like they were running on sandpaper. While you have it all apart, throw a new impeller in the pump, it't cheap insurance.